Men’s Conference at Smith County Ag Center on Saturday, March 16th
New Salem Association of Baptist Churches will host a Men’s Conference and Car and Truck Show on Saturday, March 16th 2024 at the Smith County Ag Center.
Registration for the Car and Truck Show will begin at 9 a.m. Scan the QR code for $15 Early Bird Registration or register at the event for $20. Lots of fun will begin at 10 a.m. including corn hole and pickle ball. Helen’s “On the Go” Food Truck will provide lunch.
Worship will begin at 11:30 a.m. The Nesbitt Family will provide live music and Travis Humes will be the speaker. Admission to the Conference is Free. All proceed from the Car show will benefit the Smith County Pregnancy Resource Center.
February 2024 Meeting of Smith County Commission
The Smith County Board of Commissioners held a meeting on the evening of Monday, February 12, 2024.
You can watch the full meeting below.
Thanks to Powell & Meadows Insurance Agency for sponsoring the live broadcast of this meeting.
Subscribe to Smith County Insider’s YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on meeting coverage, business spotlights, video features, and more!
The Smith County Board of Commissioners meets on the second Monday of every month except December. Typically, commission meetings are held at the Smith County Ag Center at 159 Ag Center Lane, in South Carthage.
All meetings are open to the public and are streamed live at https://www.facebook.com/smithcountyinsider/.
February 2024 Meeting of the Gordonsville City Council
The Gordonsville City Council held its monthly meeting on Monday February 13, 2024.
You can watch the full council meeting below.
Subscribe to Smith County Insider’s YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on meeting coverage, business spotlights, video features, and more!
The Gordonsville City Council meets at 6:15 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at Gordonsville City Hall, located at 63 Main Street in Gordonsville.
All meetings are open to the public and streamed live at https://www.facebook.com/smithcountyinsider/.
Country Music Concert at Pleasant Shade Community Center – March 2, 2024
The Pleasant Shade Community Center will host Nash Night Clean County Music Concert on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Entry fee is $10 and youth 15 and under are free. Food and drinks will be available. The featured performers will include Connor Jameson and Jeff Holbrook.
For more information check out the website www.615NASH.COM . Scan the QR code for ticket information.
Blood Drive at Carthage United Methodist Church Monday, March 4, 2024
Plan to give blood at the Smith County Chamber of Commerce – Community Room on Monday, March 4, 2024 from 12-6 p.m., Carthage United Methodist Church, 608 Main Street North, Carthage TN.
You can schedule your appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org and entering sponsor code Carthage19. Your pre-donation reading and health questions can be completed using your rapid pass visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass.
Tennessee Tech College of Fine Arts’ 2nd annual Arty Gras brings evening of “Fairytales, Fiction & Fables” on March 2
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – After a sold-out inaugural event last year, Tennessee Tech University’s College of Fine Arts is set to host its second annual Arty Gras at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, at the Saltbox Inn in Cookeville.
The event, billed by organizers as a “fine arts fête,” will feature a plated dinner, cocktails, dancing, costumes, live music from local entertainer Lily Bethke and presentations of art, music and theatre from Tech Fine Arts students – all with a theme of “Fairytales, Fiction & Fables.”
Jennifer Shank, dean of the College of Fine Arts at Tech, says the event is meant to offer an elevated, whimsical experience while putting a spotlight on the College of Fine Arts’ offerings and celebrating arts culture in the Upper Cumberland.
“Sometimes the College of Fine Arts is a bit of a hidden gem, and I very much wanted to create an event that would showcase our students’ work and invite the community as a whole to celebrate with us,” said Shank. “It’s a way to experience what the College of Fine Arts has to offer all in one place, and we have some tricks up our sleeve. There’s going to be some fun events and surprises.”
Shank adds that, while the soirée supports the College of Fine Arts, it is “not a fundraiser.”
“Once our guests walk through the door, we want them to take in the beautiful ambiance we’ve created and enjoy the delicious food, drinks, dancing, costumes and live entertainment without worrying about being asked for additional contributions,” said Shank. “This is about having a good time.”
To pull off the event, Shank assembled a committee of Upper Cumberland arts leaders, business owners and creatives helmed by Kathleen Gilpatrick, the president of the Cookeville Theatre Company and public relations specialist for the College of Fine Arts.
“Our committee is made up of some of the most wonderful community people who are bringing amazing creativity to this event,” added Shank.
Mark Cramer, associate professor of clarinet at Tech, will once again direct student musicians at this year’s Arty Gras. Cramer’s performance roster for the event includes a flute quartet, reed quintet, jazz combo, percussion ensemble, string quartet, barbershop quartet, steel drum band, tuba quartet and brass trio.
Tech theatre students will also perform one-act scenes for guests while students from the School of Art, Craft & Design will have selected works on display.
“We are so lucky to have such a thriving arts scene in a community of our size. As a musician and a member of the Tech faculty, I am proud to showcase the wonderful talent of our students with our guests year after year,” said Cramer. “This is an event you won’t want to miss!”
Tickets for Arty Gras are limited and sales close Feb. 15. Tickets can be purchased by calling 931-372-3016 or visiting www.tntech.edu/fine-arts/. Arty Gras is an ages 21-and-up event.
Grief Share Classes begin Tuesday, February 27, 2024
A GriefShare support group is a safe, welcoming place where people understand the difficult emotions of grief.
You do not have to walk alone in your journey through grief. Join the GriefShare group in Smith County. GriefShare is a 13-week support group for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one in death. The sessions are video-based and center around the teaching of well-known Christian counselors with testimonies of people who have traveled through the journey of grief.
The GriefShare sessions are held at 6 p.m. each Tuesday, at the Smith County Chamber of Commerce at 939 Upper Ferry Road in Carthage.
GriefShare is sponsored by First Baptist Church of Carthage, Bass Funeral Home and Sanderson Funeral Home. There is no cost for the sessions and workbooks are provided at by the sponsors with no cost to participants. For more information contact Pastor Tim Frank at 931-261-8452 or by email timfrank1960@gmail.com.
Fans don’t let fans drive drunk, make a game plan for Super Bowl LVIII and commit to sober driving
Press Release submitted by the Tennessee Highway Patrol:
Who will you root for during Super Bowl LVIII? We’ll be rooting for you! Whether you’re hosting a Super Bowl viewing party or attending one, everyone has an important job: Help keep drunk drivers off the road so we can all make it home safely on game night. During Super Bowl LVIII, the Cookeville District of the Tennessee Highway Patrol wants to remind football fans everywhere that Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.
This year’s Super Bowl LVIII is on Sunday, February 11, 2024. Get ahead of the game and create your game plan now. If you’re going out to a Super Bowl party and you plan to drink alcohol, make sure you plan for a designated driver to get you home safely at the end of the night. If you’re hosting a party, prepare plenty of food and non-alcoholic drink options for your guests, especially for the designated drivers. If you’re a designated driver, be the night’s MVP and keep that commitment front and center.
The Super Bowl is a special night each year for our community to celebrate, but we need responsible drivers on our roads. If you are planning to be away from home during the Super Bowl, make a game plan to ensure you don’t find yourself without a designated driver if you need one. If you’re hosting a party, take care of your designated drivers. Remind your friends and family: Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.
Everyone should know by now that it is illegal to drive impaired. More than 13,000 people are killed in drunk-driving crashes annually, and nearly one person is killed every 39 minutes. Fatalities in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes increased from 14% to 31% in recent years.
More information to keep in mind when you’re making plans: Drunk drivers are often more prevalent at nighttime than during the day. Drunk drivers were involved in fatal crashes 2.8 times more frequently than during the day. And males are more likely than females to be driving drunk when involved in fatal crashes.
Drunk driving can have a range of consequences, including the possibility of causing a traumatic crash. These crashes could cause you, someone you love, or a total stranger to suffer serious injuries or even death. Help set up your team — your friends, family, and other party-goers — for a night of success.
Early voting for the March 5 Presidential Preference Primary & Republican County Primary begins Feb. 14
The Tennessee Secretary of State’s office and Smith County Election Commission, want to remind all Smith County voters that they can take advantage of the convenience and flexibility of the upcoming early voting period to cast their ballot for the March 5 Presidential Preference Primary and Republican County Primary.
“Early voting is an easy way for all eligible voters to cast their ballots and let their voices be heard before Super Tuesday,” said Yvonne Gibbs, Administrator of Elections.
Early voting begins on Feb. 14 and runs through Feb 27. Smith County residents can find hours, polling locations, view sample ballots, and much more on www.smithcountyelection.com, or by downloading the Secretary of State’s free GoVoteTN app. A PDF of the sample ballot is below.
“We want all eligible Tennessee voters to cast their ballot, and early voting provides them with the flexibility and convenience to do so before Election Day,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett.
All voters should be proud that the Heritage Foundation ranks Tennessee number one in the nation for election integrity, and the Secretary of State’s office is Tennessee’s trusted source for all election information — including the GoVoteTN app.
For more information about early voting and other election information, visit GoVoteTN.gov or contact the Smith County Election Commission at smithcountyelection.com or call 615-735-8241.
Fatal wreck on Interstate 40 in Smith County claims life of 11-year-old, leaves three severely injured
A fatal wreck on Interstate 40 in Smith County has claimed the life of an 11-year-old and left three others severely injured on Thursday, February 8, 2024 around 11:40am. The incident led to a partial shutdown of the interstate for several hours, causing significant traffic disruption.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), the wreck occurred when a vehicle carrying the four victims, all from North Carolina, veered off the roadway. The driver, identified as Corixa Luz Esponza Valdes, 36, was behind the wheel along with passengers, Douglas Moises Lopez Castillo, 37, and a 10 and 11-year-old juvenile.
The vehicle, a 2003 Subaru Forester, was traveling westbound on Interstate 40 when it ran off the right side of the road near the 251.4 mile marker. Striking an embankment, the vehicle overturned, causing two juvenile males to be ejected from the vehicle and thrown onto the roadway.
The 11-year-old juvenile was struck by a passing tractor-trailer, resulting in fatal injuries. Both juveniles were not wearing seatbelts. The driver was wearing a seatbelt.
Emergency responders arranged for two helicopters to airlift the injured victims to nearby hospitals. The helicopters landed directly on Interstate 40. Smith County EMS, Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Gordonsville Police Department, Smith County Rescue Squad, THP, and New Middleton Fire Department responded to the scene.
The interstate was partially shut down for several hours as authorities worked to investigate the scene and clear the wreckage.
As the investigation into the incident continues, the driver of the vehicle, Corixa Luz Esponza Valdes, is facing charges related to the wreck.
February 2024 Meeting of the Carthage City Council
The Carthage City Council held its monthly meeting on February 1st at 6:00 pm. Several items were discussed. Watch the full meeting below.
Thanks to Teresa’s Gifts for sponsoring Smith County Insider’s live broadcast of this meeting.
Subscribe to Smith County Insider’s YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on meeting coverage, business spotlights, video features, and more!
The Carthage City Council meets at 6:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at Carthage City Hall, located at 314 Spring Street in Carthage, Tennessee – 37030.
All meetings are open to the public and streamed live at https://www.facebook.com/smithcountyinsider/.
Submissions from Students for March Art Show Now Being Accepted
The March 16th Art Show at the Carthage Junction Depot will feature young artists in Smith County. Students pre-K-12th grade are encouraged to participate. 2-D and 3-D original artwork can be submitted at every Smith County Schools. Home schooled students are also eligible to participate. Space is limited, but a variety of work from all ages will be considered. Young artist must submit their work by February 26th. Those artists selected to participate will be notified the week of March 4-8th. Please contact Jenny Penuel during school hours for more information at fordj6@smithcoedu.net.
Tractor-trailer carrying chicken carcasses overturns on I-40 in Smith County
A tractor-trailer transporting chicken carcasses overturned on Interstate 40 in Smith County, Tennessee, on February 2, 2024, around 12:54 PM. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) incident report, the vehicle involved was a 2022 Kenworth semi-tractor pulling a semi-trailer.
The driver, identified as Scott Sisco, 42, was heading west on Interstate 40 at mile marker 261 when the accident occurred. Initial findings suggest that Sisco failed to maintain his lane, possibly due to falling asleep at the wheel.
As a result, the tractor-trailer veered off the road, passing through shrubbery and trees before entering a field. It then crossed over Parker Branch Road before overturning in a ditch.
The incident caused the tractor-trailer’s cargo of chicken carcasses to spill onto the roadside. Emergency responders and cleanup crews promptly arrived at the scene to address the aftermath and clear the wreckage.
While Sisco sustained minor injuries, fortunately, no other injuries were reported in connection with the accident.
Meeting Notice: Smith County Financial Management Committee – February 8, 2024
The Financial Management Committee will meet on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 5:00 PM at the Smith County Chamber of Commerce. The agenda for the meeting can be seen below.
Any Smith County citizen wishing to speak during the Public Comment section must sign in with the chairman no later than 15 minutes before the scheduled start time of the meeting. All comments must be related to an item on the agenda.
The meeting will be streamed live on Smith County Insider’s Facebook Page.
Smith County Youth Soccer League Registration for Spring 2024
The Smith County Youth Soccer League (ages 4-16 yrs old as of August 2023) is starting registration for the Spring 2024 season! You can register at the Chamber of Commerce, Tuesday February 13th from 5 to 7pm, Tuesday, February 20th from 5 to 7 pm , Wednesday, February 21st from 5 to 7pm. You can also fill out the forms and drop them off at Smith County Drug with the $45 registration fee anytime before the end of February.
The season is expected to start in early April and will last six weeks with games on Saturdays at Crump Paris Park. For more information please check Smith County Soccer League on Facebook.
